Unitary rail clip assembly for connecting a fence rail to a fence post

ABSTRACT

A rail clip assembly for connecting a fence rail to a fence post. The assembly comprises a housing slidably engaged with a L-shaped connector bracket that is securable to the post. The bracket has a first leg with a second leg extending outwardly therefrom, and a detent integral with the first leg and extending outwardly therefrom in the opposite direction to the second leg. The first leg is received through a slot in a perimeter wall of the housing and the detent engages in a recessed area in the housing&#39;s rear wall. The second leg abuts an exterior surface of the perimeter wall and a fastener secures the second leg to both the perimeter wall and the rail retained within the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/500,670, filed Jul. 10, 2009, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/485,849, filed Jul. 12, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,680, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/405,840, filed Apr. 18, 2006, now abandoned, the entire specifications of all of which are incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to fencing systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a rail clip assembly for securing a fence rail to a fence post. Specifically, the invention relates to a rail clip assembly that includes an L-shaped connector bracket having an integral detent that engages in a recessed area in the rear wall of the assembly's housing when a first leg of the bracket is received through a slot in the housing's perimeter wall.

2. Background Information

A variety of rail clips have been proposed in the prior art for connecting vinyl fence rails to vinyl fence posts. These clips have typically included a mounting base portion that is secured to the rail and which includes a rail-end shaped receptacle to receive the end of the rail therein. One of the reasons these rail clips have been used is to provide a neat, finished connection between the two components. The clips hide incorrectly cut rail ends, evidence of previous attempts to connect the rail and post together and the apparent elimination of gaps between the connected rail ends and the posts. In order to provide a more aesthetically-pleasing device, it is common for the rail clip to be in the magnitude of one to two inches deep. Rail clips that are deeper than this tend to give the rail a cumbersome appearance.

A second consideration when connecting fence rails to fence posts is the existence of rules and regulations governing building standards, In recent years, building codes have required that the rail clip provided must ensure that the end of the rail cannot pop out of the rail clip when a lateral force is applied to the rail. In other types of rail connectors, the rail clip itself is slidably engaged with a mounting base that is first secured to post. In this type of situation, the rail clip has tended to pop off the mounting base, thereby releasing the rail.

There is therefore a need in the art for a rail clip assembly that will connect a horizontal rail to a vertical post and that will resist the tendency for the rail to pop out of the clip when a lateral force is applied to the rail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rail clip assembly for connecting a fence rail to a fence post. The assembly comprises a housing slidably engaged with an L-shaped connector bracket that is securable to the post. The bracket has a first leg with a second leg extending outwardly therefrom, and a detent integral with the first leg and extending outwardly therefrom in the opposite direction to the second leg. The first leg is received through a slot in a perimeter wall of the housing and the detent engages in a recessed area in the housing's rear wall. The second leg abuts an exterior surface of the perimeter wall and a fastener secures the second leg to both the perimeter wall and the rail retained within the housing. The rail clip assembly aids in preventing the rail from disengaging from the housing when a lateral force is applied to the rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fence rail connected to a fence post using the rail clip assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the fence rail and rail clip assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a fence rail being engaged with the rail clip assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the rail clip assembly through line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the rail clip assembly, mounting bracket and mounting base taken through line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional side view of the rail being inserted into the rail clip assembly;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the rail secured to the rail clip assembly;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the rail clip assembly engaged with the rail and taken through line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is top view through line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of the rail clip assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the rail and rail clip assembly through line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the rail and rail clip assembly through line 12-12 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of a rail clip assembly in accordance with the present invention incorporating a unitary connector bracket for securing the rail clip to a fence post;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the rail clip assembly and connector bracket of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the connector bracket of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of the connector bracket of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the unitary connector bracket showing a pair of spaced apart detents thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a rail clip assembly in accordance with the present invention and being generally indicated at 10. Rail clip assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 1 securing a substantially horizontal fence rail 12 to a substantially vertical fence post 14. Both rail 12 and post 14 are preferably manufactured from vinyl or fiber composite fencing materials.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, rail clip assembly 10 preferably includes a housing 11 having a perimeter wall that comprises a top wall 16, a bottom wall 18, and side walls 20. Walls 16, 18 and 20 extend outwardly away from a rear wall 22. These walls preferably are integrally manufactured with each other by a process such as molding. The walls 16-22 surround and define an interior chamber 24 that is adapted to receive an end of rail 12 therein. Chamber 24 is complementary sized and shaped to snugly receive the end of rail 12 therein.

Housing 11 of rail clip assembly 10 is designed to be secured to post 14 by two components, namely a mounting base 26 and a L-shaped mounting bracket 28. Base 26 is a substantially planar member having a front surface 26 a and a back surface 26 b and a peripheral wall 26 c. As shown in FIGS. 3&5, peripheral wall 26 c tapers from front surface 26 a to back surface 26 b. Base 26 preferably is manufactured from the same material as housing 11. Bracket 28 comprises a substantially L-shaped member having a first leg 30 and a second leg 32. Preferably, bracket 28 is manufactured from a suitable metal. Housing 11 is designed to engage both base 26 and bracket 28. Housing 11 includes a complementary tapered first recess 34 that is configured to tightly receive base 26 therein. Rail clip assembly further includes a second recess 36 that is differently shaped to first recess 34, and is configured to receive the first leg 30 of bracket 28 therein. First and second recesses preferably are substantially continuous with each other. Furthermore, second recess 36 is also substantially continuous with interior cavity 24 of housing 11. An opening 38 (FIG. 4) to both of first and second recesses 34, 36 is provided in bottom wall 18 of housing 11. Recess 34 preferably also has an opening 40 (FIG. 5) in rear wall 22 of housing 11. Opening 40 is smaller than the back surface 26 b of base 26 so that base 26 cannot pass through opening 40.

Referring to FIG. 3, rail clip assembly 10 is used in the following manner to secure rail 12 to post 14. Back surface 26 b of base 26 is placed into abutting contact with the outer surface 14 a of post 14. The first leg 30 of the L-shaped bracket 28 is placed into abutting contact with front surface 26 a of base 26. Fasteners 42 are used to secure both first leg 30 of bracket 28 and base 26 to post 14. It will be understood that both the first leg 30 and base 26 preferably are provided with appropriate holes for receiving fasteners 42 therethrough, so that the correct positioning of the two components is ensured. Alternatively, however, holes may be drilled through first leg 30 and base 26 during installation of rail clip assembly 10. When bracket 28 and base 26 are secured to post 14, the second leg 32 of bracket 28 extends outwardly away from the exterior wall of post 14 and substantially at right angles thereto.

Rear wall 22 of housing 11 is then placed in abutting contact with outer surface 14 a of post 14 and is slid downwardly in the direction of arrow “A” (FIGS. 3&5). This downward movement causes the uppermost ends of base 26 and first leg 30 of bracket 28 to enter first and second recesses 34, 36. Housing 11 is moved downwardly until bottom wall 18 abuts second leg 32 of bracket 28. An end of rail 12 is then inserted into cavity 24 of housing 11 (FIG. 6). Once the outermost end 12 a abuts a portion of rear wall 22 of housing 11 and first leg 30 of bracket 28, a second fastener 44 is inserted through hole 46 in bracket 28 and is screwed through bottom wall 18 of housing 11 and into rail 12 (FIG. 7). This securement substantially prevents rail 12 from being withdrawn from cavity 24. Furthermore, the fastener 44 also prevents rail 12 from being moved laterally and causing rail 12 and rail clip assembly 10 to be dislodged from base 26.

FIGS. 10-12 show an alternative embodiment of a rail clip assembly in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 210. Rail clip assembly 210 is substantially identical to clip 10 in that it includes a housing 211 having a perimeter wall that comprises a top wall 216, a bottom wall 218, side walls (not shown) and a rear wall 222. The walls 216-222 surround and define an interior chamber 224 that is adapted to receive an end of rail 212 therein. Rear wall 222 is provided with a tapered first recess 234 and a second recess 236 that is contiguous therewith. First recess 234 is smaller in area than is second recess 236. Bottom wall 218 of housing 211 includes a first aperture 238 therein that is sufficiently wide enough to receive both first leg 230 of mounting bracket 228 and mounting spacer 280 therethrough as shown in FIG. 12.

Housing 211 is designed to be secured to post 214 by one or more mounting spacers 280 and a L-shaped mounting bracket 228. Mounting spacers 280 are used in the place of base 26 and are washer-like members that are sized to be received within the tapered first recess 234 in housing 211. First recess 234 has a depth “R” (FIG. 12) and each mounting spacer 280 has a substantially equal thickness “R”. First recess 234 further has a narrowest width “S” and each mounting spacer has a diameter that is substantially equal to that width “S”. Mounting spacers 280 preferably are manufactured from the same material as housing 211 and have a back surface 280 a, a front surface 280 b and a central aperture 282 therein. Bracket 228 is substantially identical to bracket 28 and is complementary shaped to be received within second recess 236 in housing 211.

Rail clip assembly 210 is used in the following manner to secure rail 212 to post 214. Back surface 280 a of each mounting spacer 280 is placed into abutting contact with the outer surface 214 a of post 214. The first leg 230 of the L-shaped bracket 228 is placed into abutting contact with front surfaces 280 b of mounting spacers 280. Fasteners 242 are used to secure both first leg 230 of bracket 228 and mounting spacers 280 to post 214. It will be understood that both the first leg 230 and mounting spacers 280 preferably are provided with appropriate holes, such as central aperture 282 in mounting spacers 280, for receiving fasteners 242 therethrough. This ensures the correct positioning of the components. Alternatively, however, holes may be drilled through first leg 230 and mounting spacers 280 during installation of rail clip assembly 210. When bracket 228 and mounting spacers 280 are secured to post 214, the second leg 232 of bracket 228 extends outwardly away from the exterior wall of post 214 and substantially at right angles thereto.

Rear wall 222 of housing 211 is then placed in abutting contact with outer surface 214 a of post 214 and is slid downwardly in the direction of arrow “X” (FIG. 10). This downward movement causes mounting spacers 280 and first leg 230 of bracket 228 to enter first and second recesses 234, 236, respectively. Housing 211 is moved downwardly until bottom wall 218 abuts second leg 232 of bracket 228. An end of rail 212 is then inserted into cavity 224 of housing 211. Once the outermost end 212 a abuts a portion of rear wall 222 of housing 211 and first leg 230 of bracket 228, a second fastener 244 is inserted through hole 246 in bracket 228 and is screwed through bottom wall 218 of housing 211 and into rail 212 (FIG. 10). This securement substantially prevents rail 212 from being withdrawn from cavity 224. Furthermore, the fastener 244 also prevents rail 212 from being moved laterally and causing rail 212 and housing 211 to be disengaged from base 226.

Referring to FIGS. 13-15 there is shown a rail clip assembly in accordance with the present invention in which a unitary mounting connector bracket 390 is utilized. The rail clip assembly is generally indicated at 310 and is substantially identical to the rail clip assembly 10 shown in FIGS. 1-9.

Rail clip assembly 310 comprises a housing 311, having a top wall 316, a bottom wall 318, side wall 320 and rear wall 322. Top, bottom, and side walls 316, 318, 320 comprise a perimeter wall of the housing 311. The perimeter wall together with the rear wall 322 surrounds and defines an interior chamber 324 configured to receive an end 312 a of a fence rail 312 therein. Rail clip assembly 310 is designed to secure rail 312 to fence post 314 in such a manner that lateral forces on the rail 312 will not tend to disengage assembly 310, and therefore rail 312, from post 314.

Referring to FIGS. 13-16, housing 311 is substantially identical to housing 11 and includes a tapered first recess 334 and a second recess 336. Second recess 336 is differently shaped to first recess 334. First and second recesses 334, 336 are defined in rear wall 322 and preferably are substantially continuous with each other. Second recess 336 is also substantially continuous with interior cavity 324 of housing 311. A slot 338 in bottom wall 318 is continuous with each of first and second recesses 334, 336. First recess 334 also has an opening 340 in rear wall 322 of housing 311.

In accordance with the present invention, a unitary, integrally formed L-shaped connector bracket 390 is provided to aid in securing rail clip assembly 310 to both of rail 312 and fence post 314. Connector bracket 390 has a first leg 392 and a second leg 394 that are integrally formed and are disposed substantially at right angles to each other. First leg 392 has a front surface 392 a, a rear surface 392 b, first and second sides 392 c, 392 d, a top end 392 e and bottom end 392 f. Extending outwardly and rearwardly from rear surface 392 b, is a detent 396 that is integral with first leg 392 and extends outwardly therefrom in the opposite direction to second leg 394. Detent 396 is complementary in shape and size to first recess 334 in rear wall 322 of housing 311 while first leg 392 is complementary in shape and size to second recess 336 in rear wall 322. Detent 396 preferably is smaller in size than first leg 392 and is disposed intermediate, and preferably equidistant from first and second sides 392 c, 392 d of first leg 392. Consequently, a portion of the rear surface 392 b of first leg 392 extends outwardly for a distance beyond detent 396 in at least one direction. This portion of the rear surface 392 b engages the front surface 322 a of rear wall 322 when first leg 392 is received through slot 338.

Detent 396 has a side wall 396 a and a back surface 396 a. Back surface 396 a is substantially parallel to rear surface 392 b of first leg 392. Detent 396 preferably includes a pair of shoulders 397 on its side wall 396 a that are designed to interlockingly engage a complementary pair of shoulders 341 (FIG. 14) on rear wall 322 when detent 396 is frictionally engaged in recessed area 344. Back surface 396 b of detent 396 is of a width W1 from these shoulders 397 upwardly toward top end 396 c of detent 396. Back surface 396 b is narrower than width W1 from shoulders 397 downwardly toward bottom end 396 d of detent 396. Additionally, side wall 396 a of detent 396 preferably tapers from proximate rear surface 392 b of first leg 392 outwardly toward the detent's back surface 396 a. In other words, side wall 396 a of detent 396 is disposed at an acute angle relative to the rear surface 392 b of first leg 392. The width W2 of detent measured where side wall 396 a joins rear surface 392 b of first leg 392 is greater than W1. First leg 392 is of a width W3 that is greater than both of W1 and W2. Furthermore, second leg 394 preferably has a width W4 that is even greater than the width W3 of first leg 392. As can be seen from the attached figures, detent 396 is smaller in size than first leg 392 and is specifically of a smaller width than first leg 392. It will be understood, however that connector bracket 390 could be differently formed and that the detent could be larger in size than the first leg.

At least one, and preferably two apertures 398 are provided through first leg 392 and detent 396 so that the apertures 398 extend from front surface 392 a of first leg through to rear surface 396 b of detent 396. Apertures 398 are spaced vertically apart from each other. Second leg 394 is also provided with at least one and preferably two apertures 399 therein. Apertures 399 extend between an interior surface 394 a and exterior surface 394 b of second leg 394 and preferably are spaced horizontally apart from each other.

Connector bracket 390 may be engaged with rail clip assembly 310 in a number of ways. In a first way, connector bracket 390 is first secured to fence post 314 and then rail clip assembly 310 is slidably engaged with connector bracket 390. In this instance, rear surface 396 b of detent 396 is placed into abutting contact with the outer surface 314 a of post 314. Fasteners 342 are inserted through apertures 398 in first leg 392 of connector bracket 390 and are screwed into post 314. Thus, second leg 394 of connector bracket 390 extends outwardly away from outer surface 314 a of fence post 314 and substantially at right angles thereto. Rear wall 322 of housing 311 is then placed in abutting contact with outer surface 314 a of post 314 and rail clip assembly 310 is moved downwardly in the direction of arrow “A” (FIG. 14). This downward movement causes first leg 392 of connector bracket 390 to enter the slot 338 in bottom wall 318 of housing 311. The top end 396 c of detent 396 moves into first recess 334 in housing 311 and top end 392 e of first leg 392 enters second recess 336 therein. Housing 311 is moved downwardly in the direction of arrow “A” until the bottom wall 318 thereof abuts the interior surface 394 a of second leg 332 of connector bracket 390. At this point, first leg 392 of connector bracket 390 is disposed within the interior cavity 324 of rail clip assembly 310 with the rear surface 392 b of first leg 392 in abutting contact with a portion of the front surface 322 a of rear wall 322 of housing 311. Detent 396 of connector bracket 390 is retained within first recess 334 with rear surface 396 a of detent being substantially flush with rear surface 322 b of rear wall 322 of housing 311. Second leg 394 of connector bracket 390 is disposed outside of housing 311 with the interior surface 394 a of second leg 394 in abutting contact with exterior surface 318 a of bottom wall 318.

A second way in which connector bracket 390 and housing 311 can be secured together is by first inserting first leg 392 of connector bracket 390 through slot 338 in bottom wall 318 of housing 311. The connector bracket 390 is then pushed inwardly toward housing 311 until second leg 394 of connector bracket 390 abuts exterior surface 318 a of bottom wall 318. At this point, first leg 392 of connector bracket 390 is disposed within cavity 324 of housing 311 with detent 396 engaged in first recess 334. Rear wall 322 of housing 311 is then placed in abutting contact with the outer surface 314 a of fence post 314. Fasteners 342 are then inserted through the apertures 398 in first leg 392 and are screwed into fence post 314.

Once housing 311 with connector bracket 390 is secured to fence post 314, the end 312 a of rail 312 is then inserted into cavity 324 of housing 311. Rail 312 is pushed inwardly until end 312 a abuts a portion of front surface 322 a of rear wall 322 and a portion of front surface 392 a of first leg 392 of connector bracket 390. Second fasteners 344 are inserted through apertures 399 in second leg 394 of connector bracket 390 and are screwed through bottom wall 318 of housing 311 and into rail 312. This securement substantially prevents rail 312 from being withdrawn from cavity 324. Furthermore, the fasteners 344 also prevent rail 312 from being moved laterally and causing rail 312 and rail clip assembly 310 to be dislodged from connector bracket 390.

FIG. 17 shows an additional embodiment of an L-shaped connector bracket in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 490. In this instance connector bracket 490 is substantially identical to connector bracket 390 and is designed for use with a housing that is substantially identical to housing 311. Connector bracket 490 is a unitary L-shaped member having a first leg 492 and a second leg 494, where the second leg 494 is disposed substantially at right angles to the first leg 492 and extends outwardly therefrom in a first direction. Connector bracket 490 differs from connector bracket 390 in that instead of having a single detent 396 extending outwardly and rearwardly from the rear surface 392 b of first leg 392, a pair of detents 496 extend outwardly away therefrom in a second direction relative to the second leg 494. Detents 496 are spaced a distance vertically apart from each other. Each detent 496 has a tapered side wall 496 a and a back surface 496 b. Back surface 496 b is substantially parallel to the rear surface 492 b of the first leg 492. In other words, the side wall 496 a is disposed at an acute angle relative to the rear surface 492 b of the first leg 492.

An aperture 498 is defined generally through the center of each detent 496 and extends from the front surface 492 a of first leg 492 through to the rear surface 496 b of detent 496. Detents 496 have a width that is complementary to the width of the opening in the rear wall of the rail clip assembly such that detents 496 frictionally are engaged in the rear wall's recessed area. Second leg 494 of connector 490 defines at least two apertures 499 therein that are designed to receive fasteners therethrough. Connector bracket 490 is used in substantially the same manner as connector bracket 390 to secure the rail clip assembly to the rail and fence post.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. 

1. A rail clip assembly for securing a fence rail to a fence post; said assembly comprising: a housing having a rear wall with a perimeter wall extending outwardly and forwardly away therefrom; wherein the rear and perimeter walls together define an interior chamber adapted to receive an end of the fence rail therein; and wherein the rear wall has a front surface and a rear surface and defines a recessed area in the front surface and an opening to the recessed area in the rear surface, and wherein the perimeter wall defines a slot therein; a connector bracket having: a first leg receivable through the slot in the perimeter wall a second leg integral with the first leg and extending outwardly away therefrom such that the second leg cannot pass through the slot when the first leg is received therethrough; a detent integrally formed with the first leg and extending outwardly away therefrom in a direction opposite to said second leg; said detent engaging in the recessed area in the rear wall of the housing when the first leg is received through the slot; and a fastener adapted to secure the fence rail to both of the second leg and perimeter wall of the housing.
 2. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the first leg of the connector bracket has a top end, a bottom end, a front surface and a rear surface; and wherein the detent is integrally formed with and extends outwardly away from the rear surface of the first leg.
 3. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the detent is smaller in size than the first leg of the connector bracket.
 4. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the first leg has first and second sides that extend between the top and bottom ends thereof, and the detent is disposed intermediate the first and second sides and a portion of rear surface of the first leg extends outwardly beyond the detent in at least one direction.
 5. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein the detent is disposed substantially equidistant between the first and second sides and portions of the rear surface of the first leg extend outwardly beyond the detent in at least two directions.
 6. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein the portion of the rear surface of the first leg that extends outwardly beyond the detent abuts a front surface of the rear wall of the housing when the detent is engaged in the recessed area in the rear wall.
 7. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the detent has a back surface that is disposed substantially parallel to the rear surface of the first leg, and the detent further has a side wall that extends between the back surface and the rear surface of the first leg.
 8. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the side wall of the detent is disposed at an acute angle relative to the rear surface of the first leg.
 9. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein the angle of the side wall of the detent is such that the detent tapers in width from the rear surface of the first leg outwardly toward the back surface of the detent.
 10. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the side wall of the detent includes a shoulder and the rear wall of the housing includes a complementary shoulder in the recessed area thereof, and wherein the shoulder on the detent interlockingly engages with the shoulder on the rear wall.
 11. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the detent is frictionally retained in the recessed area.
 12. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising a second detent integral with the first leg and spaced a distance from the detent, and wherein said second detent extends outwardly away from the first leg, and wherein both of the detent and second detent are received within the recessed area of the rear wall of the housing when the first leg is received through the slot.
 13. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the connector bracket is substantially L-shaped and the first leg is disposed substantially at right angles to the second leg.
 14. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the second leg extends outwardly and forwardly away from the bottom end of the first leg and abuts an exterior surface of the perimeter wall when the first leg is received through the slot.
 15. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one aperture that extends through both of the first leg and the detent.
 16. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 15, further comprising at least one second fastener that extends through the at least one aperture in the first leg and the detent and is adapted to secure the first leg and the detent to the fence post.
 17. The rail clip as defined in claim 1, further comprising an aperture that extends through the second leg from an interior surface thereof to an exterior surface thereof; and wherein the fastener extends through the aperture.
 18. The rail clip as defined in claim 1, wherein the detent has a back surface that is substantially coplanar with a rear surface of the rear wall when the detent is received in the recessed area.
 19. The rail clip assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the slot in the perimeter wall of the housing is adjacent the rear wall thereof and the slot is substantially continuous with the opening in the rear wall.
 20. In combination: a fence rail; a fence post; and a rail clip assembly for connecting the fence post and fence rail together; said assembly comprising: a housing having a rear wall with a front surface and a rear surface, where the rear surface is disposed in abutting contact with a sidewall of the fence post; said housing further including a perimeter wall that extends outwardly and forwardly away from the rear wall; and wherein the rear and perimeter walls together define an interior chamber that receives an end of the fence rail therein; and wherein the rear wall defines a recessed area in the front surface thereof and an opening to the recessed area in the rear surface thereof, and wherein the perimeter wall defines a slot therein; a connector bracket having: a first leg receivable through the slot in the perimeter wall; a detent integrally formed with the first leg and extending outwardly away therefrom; said detent engaging in the recessed area in the rear wall of the housing when the first leg is received through the slot; and a second leg integrally formed with the first leg and extending outwardly away therefrom such that the second leg cannot pass through the slot when the first leg is received therethrough; a fastener that secures the second leg of the connector bracket to both of the fence rail and the perimeter wall of the housing. 